Engineering Commons^™

Optimization Of Human Interactions In The College Campus Model Via Simio Integration, Benjamin E. Chaback

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

College campuses are a significant part of life in some cities. Many students each year attend university, pursuing additional knowledge from faculty members. Both staff and faculty members rely on these students to have successful jobs and to ensure the university functions. Yet recently, more and more students are attending, leading to overcrowding, lower admission rates, and difficulty getting into good programs. Previous work exists on qualitative student affairs and quantitative retention data, yet little on using simulations to model this problem. This work aimed to (a) Determine the ability to successfully model human interactions/people flow on a college campus, …

Strategy For Predictive Control Of The Rectification Process Based On A Model Controller With A Given Forecast, Ildar Rafkatovich Sultanov

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

A method is being developed to optimize the generated controls for the multicomponent distillation process with prediction, based on predictive data with a moving horizon. The difference between this method and the classical modeling approach, in which the percentage of the degree of opening of valves installed on the output streams of the column is used as control actions, is that control occurs on the feedback principle. The proposed method is based on the use of a dynamic process model to optimize control actions in real time in order to achieve certain production targets. The essence of the MPC approach …

Synthesize A Neural Network Parameter Optimizer For An Adaptive Pid Controller, Nashvandova Gulruxsor Murot Qizi

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

Wide application of proportional-integral-differential (PID)-regulator in industry requires constant improvement of methods of its parameters superstructuring. In the paper, the questions of optimization of PID-regulator parameters with application of methods of neural network technology are considered. A methodology for selecting the architecture of neural network optimizer designed to determine the tuned parameters of PID regulator is proposed. The algorithm of training of the neural network, with the set on the basis of the method of inverse gradient propagation is offered. The proposed improved PID-neural regulator allowed to provide stabilization of neural network operation and its trainability in the control loop …

Milp Modeling Of Matrix Multiplication: Cryptanalysis Of Klein And Prince, Murat Burhan İlter, Ali Aydın Selçuk

Turkish Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

Mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) techniques are widely used in cryptanalysis, aiding in the discovery of optimal linear and differential characteristics. This paper delves into the analysis of block ciphers KLEIN and PRINCE using MILP, specifically calculating the best linear and differential characteristics for reduced-round versions. Both ciphers employ matrix multiplication in their diffusion layers, which we model using multiple XOR operations. To this end, we propose two novel MILP models for multiple XOR operations, which use fewer variables and constraints, proving to be more efficient than standard methods for XOR modeling. For differential cryptanalysis, we identify characteristics with a probability …

A Novel Physics-Assisted Genetic Algorithm For Decoupling Capacitor Optimization, Li Jiang, Ling Zhang, Shurun Tan, Da Li, Chulsoon Hwang, Jun Fan, Er Ping Li

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article proposes a new physics-assisted genetic algorithm (PAGA) for decoupling capacitor (decap) optimization in power distribution networks (PDNs), which is a highly efficient approach to minimizing the number of decaps within an enormous search space. In the proposed PAGA method, the priority of the decap ports is first determined based on their physical loop inductances. Then, an initial solution is quickly obtained by placing decaps sequentially on the port with the highest priority. Subsequently, a GA with prior physical knowledge is developed to find better decap solutions progressively. A port removal scheme that eliminates the low-priority ports and a …

Preliminary Study On The Effects Of Vinegar As Pre- Treatment For The Oven-Drying Of Pacific Yellowtail Emperor (Lethrinus Atkinsoni) Fillets, Nurisa A. Suhaili, Rafael S. Jamih, Normina A. Abubakar, Jaro O. Ajik, Merilyn Q. Amlani

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

This study aimed to assess the impact of various vinegar compositions used as pre-treatment for Pacific Yellowtail Emperor (PYE) fillets during the oven-drying process, with a focus on moisture content and optimal drying conditions. Two types of commercially available vinegar, Superior Vinegar and Datu Puti Vinegar, were compared, and different drying temperatures were evaluated. The investigation revealed that the drying temperature significantly influenced the moisture content of the dried PYE fillets. Among the tested temperatures (40°C, 60°C, and 80°C), the most favorable outcome in terms of moisture content was achieved when fillets were dried at 80°C for a duration of …

Review Of Computational Models For Large-Scale Mdao Of Urban Air Mobility Concepts, Darshan Sarojini, Marius L. Ruh, Jiayao Yan, Luca Scotzniovsky, Nicholas C. Orndorff, Ru Xiang, Han Zhao, Joshua J. Krokowski, Michael Warner, Sebastiaan Pc Van Schie, Ashley Cronk, Alexandre T. R. Guibert, Jeffrey T. Chambers, Lauren Wolfe, Rachel Doring, Robin Despins, Cibin Joseph, Ryan Anderson, Andrew Ning, Hyunjune Gill, Seongkyu Lee, Zeyu Cheng, Zhi Cao, Chunting Mi, Y Shirley Meng, Christopher Silva, Jiun-Shyan Chen, H. Alicia Kim, John T. Hwang

Faculty Publications

The advent of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) has necessitated a paradigm shift in aircraft design from traditional regression methods to physics-based analysis and the use of modern computational methods. This paper explores the intricacies of UAM aircraft design, acknowledging the limitations of historical empirical equations and advocating for the use of physics-based tools in the early stages of the design process. It underscores the importance of Multidisciplinary Design, Analysis, and Optimization (MDAO) as a means to integrate physics-based tools for conceptual design, facilitating decisions on configuration and sizing. The paper presents a comprehensive survey and review of computational models across …

Segac: Sample Efficient Generalized Actor Critic For The Stochastic On-Time Arrival Problem, Honglian Guo, Zhi He, Wenda Sheng, Zhiguang Cao, Yingjie Zhou, Weinan Gao

Research Collection School Of Computing and Information Systems

This paper studies the problem in transportation networks and introduces a novel reinforcement learning-based algorithm, namely. Different from almost all canonical sota solutions, which are usually computationally expensive and lack generalizability to unforeseen destination nodes, segac offers the following appealing characteristics. segac updates the ego vehicle’s navigation policy in a sample efficient manner, reduces the variance of both value network and policy network during training, and is automatically adaptive to new destinations. Furthermore, the pre-trained segac policy network enables its real-time decision-making ability within seconds, outperforming state-of-the-art sota algorithms in simulations across various transportation networks. We also successfully deploy segac …

Optimal Algorithm For Managing On-Campus Student Transportation, Youssef Harrath Dr.

Faculty Research & Publications

This study analyzed the transportation issues at the University of Bahrain Sakhir campus, where a bus system with an unorganized and fixed number of buses allocated each semester was in place. Data was collected through a survey, on-site observations, and student schedules to estimate the number of buses needed. The study was limited to students who require to move between buildings for academic purposes and not those who choose to ride buses for other reasons. An algorithm was designed to calculate the optimal number of buses for each time slot, and for each day. This solution could improve transportation efficiency, …

Complete Solution Of The Lady In The Lake Scenario, Alexander Von Moll, Meir Pachter

Faculty Publications

In the Lady in the Lake scenario, a mobile agent, L, is pitted against an agent, M, who is constrained to move along the perimeter of a circle. L is assumed to begin inside the circle and wishes to escape to the perimeter with some finite angular separation from M at the perimeter. This scenario has, in the past, been formulated as a zero-sum differential game wherein L seeks to maximize terminal separation and M seeks to minimize it. Its solution is well-known. However, there is a large portion of the state space for which the canonical solution does not …

Dig Limits Optimization Using Binary Integer Linear Programming Method In Open Pit Mines, Hussam Naif Altalhi

Masters Theses

"Dig limits optimization is the process for classifying different materials (e.g., ore, stockpile material, and waste) into appropriately sized contiguous zones for open pit mining. The efficient determination of dig-limits is crucial for profitable and sustainable resource extraction in mining. Previous research has focused on defining dig-limits manually or using optimization approaches, but these methods are limited to only handling two material destinations (ore and waste). Thus, there is a need for operations research methods that consider the selectivity of mining equipment and can optimize dig-limits for metal mining operations with more than two material destinations. Consequently, the objective of …

Adaptation Algorithm For Self-Tuning Of Parameters Of Models Of Multi-Stage Flotation Processes, Nilufar Sharifzhanova, Maksadhan Yakubov, Francesco Gregoretti

Technical science and innovation

Modern methods for solving problems of planning the execution of batches of tasks in multi-stage systems are characterized by the presence of restrictions on their dimensionality, the impossibility of guaranteed obtaining better results in comparison with fixed packages for different values of the input parameters of the problem. In the article, the author solved the problem of optimizing the composition of job packages running in multi-stage systems using the branch and bound method. Research has been carried out on various ways to form package execution orders tasks in multi-stage systems (heuristic rules for ordering packages tasks in the sequence of …

Economy Of Scale Of Energy Intensity In Aquifer Storage And Recovery (Asr), Alyson Haley Rapp

Theses and Dissertations

More water utilities are adopting Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) to balance long-term water supply and demand. Due to large implementation and operation costs, ASR projects need to be optimized, particularly for energy use, which is a major operating expense. This study examines the relationships among energy use, recharge, and recovery at two ASR projects in the western United States. The major finding is an economy of scale for recovery processes, but not for gravity-fed recharge processes. The economy of scale found is as follows: the energy intensity recovered decreases with volume. This suggests it is more energy-efficient to recover …

Imerys: Tube Mill Optimization Project, Ryan Waltman, Dalton Beasley, Dyson Beasley, Tristan Mcmichael

Senior Design Project For Engineers

The Tube Mill Optimization Project is in partnership with Imerys for Tube Mill 81 at their Marble Hill site in Georgia. Tube Mill 81 is a dry ball mill that operates 24/7 and makes an intermediary product for Plant 3. Tube Mill 81 needs quality improvement and a production rate increase to meet demand. Imerys’s quality specification is between a particle size of 12-18 microns and an acceptable production rate of 5 tons per hour. This project focuses on the development and implementation of three solutions: increase the amps on the separator to increase production, replace missing classifier blades in …

Optimization Of Hydraulic Cylinder Positioning For Wind Tower Hydraulic Erection System, Anbesh Rawal

Master's Theses

Wind produced electricity is a rapidly growing field with wind towers serving as critical components. Conventionally, special cranes are commonly used for wind tower erection. This study explores the use of hydraulic cylinders for small-scale wind tower erection. The thesis aims to find the optimal position of hydraulic cylinder connections in a hydraulic erection system for safe and energy-efficient tower erection and retraction and to enhance the performance and longevity of the system.

Structural analysis was conducted to investigate various hydraulic cylinder positioning configurations, ensuring minimal force exertion while maintaining structural integrity. The study included the selection of locally available …

Utilization Of Integer Programming For Scheduling Maintenance At Nuclear Power Plants, Timothy Gallacher

Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis develops a thought that naturally explores three specific motifs for solving the complexities of scheduling maintenance at Nuclear Power Plants (NPP). The first chapter of this paper will develop the initial thought around creating a schedule for a given work week, including all the various constraints inherent to this problem. Such constraints include but are not limited to personnel availability, allowable component out-of-service time, and the Plant Risk Assessment. The objective function being to minimize the total cost of worker’s compensation for that given week.

The second chapter addresses the question of whether this simple schedule can be …

Deep Reinforcement Learning For The Design Of Structural Topologies, Nathan Brown

All Dissertations

Advances in machine learning algorithms and increased computational efficiencies have given engineers new capabilities and tools for engineering design. The presented work investigates using deep reinforcement learning (DRL), a subset of deep machine learning that teaches an agent to complete a task through accumulating experiences in an interactive environment, to design 2D structural topologies. Three unique structural topology design problems are investigated to validate DRL as a practical design automation tool to produce high-performing designs in structural topology domains.

The first design problem attempts to find a gradient-free alternative to solving the compliance minimization topology optimization problem. In the proposed …

Parametric Optimization Of A Wing-Fuselage System Using A Vorticity-Based Panel Solver, Chino Cruz

Master's Theses

Aerodynamic topology optimization is a useful tool in the aerodynamic design pro-
cess, especially when looking for marginal gains within a design. One example is
a turboprop racer concept aircraft that is designed with the goal of breaking world
speed records. An optimization framework was developed with the intention of later
being applied to this design. In the early design stages, the optimization framework
must focus on quicker methods of drag estimation, such as a panel codes. The large
number of design variables in topology optimization can exponentially increase func-
tion evaluations and thus computational cost. A vorticity-based panel solver …

Cost Minimizing Energy Management Control Scheme For Microgrids Considering Dynamic Electricity Prices, Levi T. Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

As countries develop and technology improves, the world is using more energy than ever before. This fact along with several other political, social, and economic factors has resulted in simultaneous energy and climate crises. A partial solution to both problems is bringing clean energy sources of electricity closer to the customers who use that energy. A microgrid is a smaller version of the national electric grid where smaller electricity generators are networked with local consumers and controlled independently of the main grid. Because control of electricity sources and loads are transferred to local controllers, the flexibility with which they can …

Extremum Seeking Control Algorithms For Extremely High Frequency Antenna System Pointing, Scott Shore

Mechanical Engineering ETDs

The research examines the application of extremum seeking control (ESC) algorithms to ground station antenna pointing for extremely high frequency (EHF) communication systems. ESC algorithms search for local maxima or minima by locating where an objective function gradient goes to zero. With wireless communication expanding into higher frequencies, the ground station pointing requirement is increasing. ESC presents a method which utilizes available equipment and information to perform ground station pointing. Additionally, ESC algorithms do not rely on assumptions or approximations needed for other techniques. The dissertation demonstrates ESC algorithm feasibility for the ground station pointing problem, benchmarks the ESC algorithms …

Surrogate-Assisted Simulation-Optimization Framework For Groundwater Management In A Multi-Aquifer System, Melika Mani

LSU Master's Theses

Uncontrolled groundwater exploitation can lead to aquifer depletion, land subsidence, and saltwater intrusion. Effective groundwater management is challenging due to the intricate nature of subsurface hydrogeology and spatiotemporally variable pumping, especially in a multi-aquifer system. To ensure sustainable withdrawal, multi-objective optimization is an effective tool for balancing management goals and drawdown effects. However, running simulation-optimization using detailed groundwater models is computationally expensive, pushing decision-makers to decide based on limited scenarios. In this study, a hydrogeological framework was constructed for the Capital Area, Louisiana, allowing for individual assessment of each unit to better understand each aquifer's condition. Moreover, a surrogate-assisted simulation-optimization …

Resource Allocation In Subsidy Welfare Programs: Managerial Insights For Nonprofits, Governments, And Service Providers, Wei Wei

Doctoral Dissertations

Subsidy welfare programs provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals and families to access essential and life-altering services (e.g., education, child care, and housing) that they might not otherwise have access to. Access to these services is considered critical to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all. As such, these high-quality services are directly related to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted as a universal call to action to end poverty, save the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere." In particular, the need for these affordable and high-quality services has been …

Reduced Bias User Preference Methods For Determining The Pareto-Optimal Solution Point, Dylan Thomas Johnson

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Engineering design is filled with tradeoffs between competing objectives such as performance, mass, cost, and schedule. A designer must navigate these complex multi-objective problems and deliver the right solution for their application. Multi-objective optimization techniques are powerful and widely used; however, a key drawback to these techniques is that they often output a set of equivalent solutions called the Pareto Front. The designer must perform an additional multi-objective down selection on the Pareto Front to determine a single Pareto-optimal solution point for their design. Existing Pareto Front processing techniques either use traditional infinitely adjustable weights, which can yield results that …

Developing A Smart And Sustainable Public Transportation System: A Case Study In Camden, New Jersey, Zahra Vafakhah

Theses and Dissertations

The transportation sector is a major contributor to air pollution and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. As a significant source of emissions, public transportation presents an opportunity for mitigation through electrification. However, transitioning to an electric bus fleet necessitates substantial investments in bus procurement and charging infrastructure. To address the associated costs, this study introduces a mixed-integer linear mathematical model developed to optimize the location of on-route fast charging stations within bus networks. The central objective of this optimization formulation is to minimize the overall cost of establishing the charging infrastructure. The study employs a real-world case study focusing on a …

Optimization Of Removal Of Toluene From Industrial Wastewater Using Rsm Box– Behnken Experimental Design, Dariush Jafari, Morteza Esfandyari, Mehdi Mojahed

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The study is concerned with the adsorption of toluene from real wastewater using granular beads of activated carbon. The adsorbent was analyzed before and after the process using Scanning Electron Microscope analysis to characterize its surface characteristics. The adsorption parameters including solution pH, contact time, dosage of adsorbent, temperature and toluene initial concentration were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) Box-Behnken experimental design to maximize the toluene adsorption. The adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was 298 mg g⁻¹ and the maximum toluene removal was 99.5% which was achieved in the following optimal conditions: pH: 2, 100 min, adsorbent dosage: …

Optimization Of Removal Of Toluene From Industrial Wastewater Using Rsm Box– Behnken Experimental Design, Dariush Jafari, Morteza Esfandyari, Mehdi Mojahed

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The study is concerned with the adsorption of toluene from real wastewater using granular beads of activated carbon. The adsorbent was analyzed before and after the process using Scanning Electron Microscope analysis to characterize its surface characteristics. The adsorption parameters including solution pH, contact time, dosage of adsorbent, temperature and toluene initial concentration were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) Box-Behnken experimental design to maximize the toluene adsorption. The adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was 298 mg g^{− 1} and the maximum toluene removal was 99.5% which was achieved in the following optimal conditions: pH: 2, 100 min, adsorbent …

Application Of Evolutionary Algorithms For Optimization Of Operation Modes Of Regional Electric Power Systems, Isamiddin Khakimovich Siddikov, Oksana Vitalevna Porubay

Chemical Technology, Control and Management

The paper presents the possibilities of using evolutionary algorithms to solve the problem of optimizing the operation modes of electric power facilities in the presence of constraints in the form of inequalities and equalities. The limits of constraints have a variable character, depending on the generated and consumed energy. Existing methods used for the optimization of modes are based on general principles and approaches to optimization, which usually adapt to the specifics of the problem. In electric power facilities, optimization problems have some peculiarities, among which is the presence of multiple constraints applied to both independent and dependent variables. Many …

Optimization Of A Bioreactor, Ali Alshami

AI Assignment Library

The primary objective of this assignimentis to learn to work effectively as a team, and to design an experiment where optimization is essential.

Transforming Large-Scale Virtualized Networks: Advancements In Latency Reduction, Availability Enhancement, And Security Fortification, Ibrahim Tamim

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In today’s digital age, the increasing demand for networks, driven by the proliferation of connected devices, data-intensive applications, and transformative technologies, necessitates robust and efficient network infrastructure. This thesis addresses the challenges posed by virtualization in 5G networking and focuses on enhancing next-generation Radio Access Networks (RANs), particularly Open-RAN (O-RAN). The objective is to transform virtualized networks into highly reliable, secure, and latency-aware systems. To achieve this, the thesis proposes novel strategies for virtual function placement, traffic steering, and virtual function security within O-RAN. These solutions utilize optimization techniques such as binary integer programming, mixed integer binary programming, column generation, …

Improving Mobility And Safety In Traditional And Intelligent Transportation Systems Using Computational And Mathematical Modeling, Shahrbanoo Rezaei

Doctoral Dissertations

In traditional transportation systems, park-and-ride (P&R) facilities have been introduced to mitigate the congestion problems and improve mobility. This study in the second chapter, develops a framework that integrates a demand model and an optimization model to study the optimal placement of P&R facilities. The results suggest that the optimal placement of P&R facilities has the potential to improve network performance, and reduce emission and vehicle kilometer traveled. In intelligent transportation systems, autonomous vehicles are expected to bring smart mobility to transportation systems, reduce traffic congestion, and improve safety of drivers and passengers by eliminating human errors. The safe operation …